BAGHDAD (AP) - The White House says Vice President Joe Biden is in Iraq this weekend to "affirm the United States' long term commitment" and discuss recent development with Iraqi officials.

He's looking to prod political rivals into solving their impasse over who should lead the government after March's indecisive elections.
      
Biden is the Obama administration's point man on Iraq issues. But top U.S. officials have resisted visiting Iraq while the country's leaders remain deadlocked.
      
Biden will also visit U.S. troops during the July Fourth weekend.